Al Sharpton, City Controller William Thompson and others to support Sonia Sotomayor.New York Democrats vowed Wednesday to go to Capitol Hill to urge Senate Republicans to confirm Sonia Sotomayor for
the Supreme Court.

City Controller and mayoral hopeful William Thompson, the Rev.

Al Sharpton, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

and several City Council members urged that Sotomayor's nomination not get bogged down in partisan bickering.

"It is important that we not mire or in any way muddy with partisan politics the true American story of what this young lady has accomplished," Sharpton said outside the housing project where
Sotomayor grew up.

"She has more experience as a judge than any judge presently sitting on the Supreme Court," he said.

"There should be no question on either side about affirming her." Criticism from Republicans in the Senate has been relatively mild, and the biggest fight so far has been whether hearings can start
before the August recess.

Thompson urged the Senate to work quickly.

"It is important that ...Democrats and Republicans and independents come together, that themembers of the Senate all work as quickly as possible, in a focused fashion, to get this nomination
approved," he said.

At the Bronxdale Houses, where the 54-year-old federal appeals court judge grew up, locals said Sotomayor was a role model.

"Someone coming from the projects and getting a high achievement like that, that's a big milestone," said Jadira Goodine, 31.

"If she can make it out of the projects, anyone can." "I'm happy for her," said Elba Rosario, 46, who has lived in the Bronxdale Houses for eight years.